'A sudden death changes the pulse on a farm and throws everything into turmoil'

There are familiar sounds on a dairy farm when morning dawns and the animals wake up to start their day. I’ve often watched our herd waking up in the field. Light creeps through the clouds, falling on the dewy backs of cows. Something triggers the leader to stand up silently, slowly.

Breaking the scene of beauty, she may dung or urinate. Steam will rise. The next cow will stand, repeat the process and one by one they will turn towards the yard. The slow procession will ensue.

They are content to wait at the gate or wire. In the yard, a cow that was dry yesterday is dripping rich, yellow colostrum this morning as she licks and lows urgently and incessantly to her newborn calf. That cow has the calf polished to perfection with visible tongue licks going this way and that.

The calf shed door may rattle, prompting the calves on fresh milk to jump up and rush to the feeder in anticipation of warm milk.

Their movements are full of energy and vigour in contrast to the slow and defined stretches of their mothers in the grass paddock.

There is a constancy and continuity about all this on a dairy farm and the milking machine hasn’t been turned on yet.

The pattern of sounds is repeated daily. The farmer talks to his or her animals. That voice is the sound that defines and identifies that farm.

It is a unique voice, recognised by the animals and loved by the people that live on that farm. A sudden death changes the pulse and throws everything into turmoil.

The friendships we made then were those strong connections that have lasted through the years

Last week Dan O’Riordan died suddenly. He was so proud to be farming with his son John. Dan from Ballydaly, was just five years older than Tim and I. We started out in Macra na Feirme and so did Dan and his wife Mary. They were your typical country couple cutting their teeth in Macra. They learned to run meetings and hold positions.

They debated and attended field evenings.

The friendships we made then were those strong connections that have lasted through the years. Dan and Mary enjoyed life, loved dancing and like the rest of us, got married and started a family.

Meanwhile, Dan graduated to IFA and what a dedicated member he was, always endeavouring to do the right thing by farmers. Dan’s voice could often be heard at Cork Central’s County Executive.

His passion was rural development and he served on many committees.

His report at the meeting might run late but Dan would employ his unique humour to make sure that people listened.

The Duhallow man had a word for everyone and was heavily involved in the community. There is no doubt that he was a cherished member of our IFA family. He always made decisions for the greater good and did his utmost to find the fair and just answer. Doing the right thing was important and Dan would make sure that the meeting would explore all possibilities.

Saying goodbye

As I was in hospital last week, Tim and I were unable to attend Dan’s funeral. We missed that chance to say goodbye and to sympathise with Dan’s wife Mary and their lovely family, John, Catherine, Michael and Eleanor along with his many IFA friends.

One of his stalwart companions was Richie O’Connor. If one man was there, the other wasn’t far behind. They really were the Millstreet/Ballydaly duo in IFA circles. I know that Dan’s loyalty and friendship will be missed by his many friends and especially Richie.

May he rest in peace.